Don’t ban smacking

SIR – Last week’s letter calling for smacking bans in England and Northern Ireland will have been unpopular with readers. Most parents do not wish to see friends, colleagues and family members investigated – and even prosecuted – for using mild physical discipline with their children.

The letter is also inaccurate in its claims, despite being co-signed by several prominent groups and individuals. It argues, for example, that reasonable punishment can lead to a whole host of negative outcomes. This is not proven. The Welsh government – which has just legislated to criminalise smacking – stated that “there is unlikely to be any research evidence which specifically shows the effects of a light and infrequent smack as being harmful to children”.

The letter also implies that parents can beat their children with impunity due to the reasonable chastisement defence. But anything more than a mild smack is already illegal. The defence is rarely cited in court, and child protection professionals are not pressing for a change in the law.

In addition, the letter claims that “60 countries have banned smacking” – but most nations have made symbolic civil changes that discourage smacking, without an enforcement mechanism. Only a handful of jurisdictions, like Scotland and Wales, have criminalised parents who smack.

Banning smacking is unwanted, is not backed up by evidence, poses serious risks to family life, and threatens to undermine the efforts of social workers and the police. MPs and Members of the Legislative Assembly must reject the empty rhetoric of anti-smacking campaigners and uphold the current law. Professor Tommy MacKay

President (2000-2001), British Psychological Society Professor Ellie Lee

Director, Centre for Parenting Culture Studies, University of Kent Joy Knight

National Chairman (2008-2013), Children’s Panel Advisory Committee Dr Ashley Frawley

Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Swansea University and five others; see telegraph.co.uk

SIR – There is a world of difference between smacking and abusing a child. I’m 73, and a smack on the leg or arm never did me any harm.

Common sense is crucial. Every child, parent and situation is different – but smacking can be an effective teacher if it is done by a gentle parent who loves the child. Ian Kelman

Dunfermline, Fife